Ceará Governor to discuss organized crime with President Temer

The Governor of the northeastern state of Ceará, Camilo Santana, meets this Tuesday (Jan. 30) with President Michel Temer in Brasília.  One of the subjects dealt with will be organized crime. The state struggles with a wave of violence since the weekend. 

Last saturday (Jan. 27), a mass shooting in the outskirts of Fortaleza, city capital of Ceará, left 14 dead.  A fight between the criminal gangs Guardians of the State (local) and First Capital Command (São Paulo-based) is reported to be behind the murders.

The gangs rivalry also triggered the conflict that ended with the death of 10 inmates at the Itapaje Public Jail, in a town 130 kilometers (80 miles) distant from Fortaleza.  An inspection conducted in the jail this Monday (Jan. 29) confiscated guns, ammunition and drugs.

The Ministry of Justice announced support for the mass shooting investigation and created a task force comprised of members of the Federal Police and Federal Highway Police, as well as the National Secretariat of Public Security and the National Penitentiary Department.  So far, six people were arrested suspected of participating in the murders.

In addition, 44 inmates from the Itapaje Public Jail were transfered to other prison units yesterday.

Translated by Mariana Branco